Study In Netherlands

Study in the Netherlands: More over 17 million people live in the Netherlands, usually referred to as Holland. The Netherlands is a highly developed and diverse country. The place is a very popular option for those who want to study abroad. The majority of international students prefer to study in the Netherlands. The nation welcomes international students from more than 150 different nations each year and provides them with high-quality education and a variety of job opportunities.

Study in the Netherlands Highlights

Top Universities in the Netherlands

The Netherlands’ universities are well-known for giving best higher education worldwide. International students submit applications each year for undergraduate and graduate programs. Members of the academic community from all over the world and in Europe rank the universities in the Netherlands based on the quality of their research and their evaluations. The top international universities in the Netherlands for 2023 are mentioned below.

Popular Courses in the Netherlands

Almost 1700 bachelor’s, master’s, and other degree programs are offered to students in the Netherlands. The top ten fields of study in the Netherlands include accounting, engineering, health care, social science, law, computer science, and the arts.

Cost of studying in the Netherlands

For international students, studying in the Netherlands is a more affordable study-abroad option than other locations like the UK and US. In the Netherlands, universities are split into two categories: research universities, institutes for foreign education, universities of applied sciences (UAS), and others. Local and European students pay the same amount to study in the Netherlands, while foreign students typically find applied science universities to be less expensive than research universities. International students are required to pay institutional fees that are set by universities and may vary by institution. Some of the top-ranked universities in the Netherlands charge up to €15,000 for Bachelors and €25,000 per year for Masters. International students may pay fees for a UAS that start at €7–8,000 and rarely go over €10,000.

•  Dutch students and students from other EU/EEA countries as well as Suriname generally pay the “statutory tuition fees” which are lower. The Dutch government sets this fee level and is the same at every university.
• All other international students generally have to pay the “institutional tuition fees, “ which tend to be higher.

Cost of Living in the Netherlands

International students looking to attend a university abroad will find the Netherlands to be a great option. In comparison to nations like the UK and the US, the cost of living in the Netherlands is low. When planning to study in the Netherlands, it is important for international students to be well-prepared, and the most important preparation is to think about your living expenditures. This covers accommodation, books, clothing, food, and transportation. In the Netherlands, a student should budget between €800 and €1,100 a month.

• Housing

An average room in the Netherlands costs somewhere between € 300 and € 600 a month.

• Food

Most higher education institutions offer hot meals at reasonable prices. Some average prices:

1. a cup of coffee/tea in a café: € 3,00
2. a cheese sandwich: € 4,00
3. dinner in a typical student restaurant: € 12,50

• Transportation

You can get around town easily on a bike. Bus tickets cost around € 2 for a single fare in the city.

Note: For a discount on travel, shopping, and museums, international students can apply for the International Student Identity Card (ISIC). It is valid anywhere.

The Netherlands Student Visa

To enter the Netherlands for study or research, international students need a visa and a work permit.

The Netherlands Students Visa process is a two-step process that requires

• The MVV or an Entry Visa to enter the Netherlands
• The VRV – or the Residence Permit – is granted to students within a month of their reaching the country

• Duration

You might need a “short stay visa” or “Schengen visa” if your stay is less than 90 days. You may require an entry visa (MVV), depending on your nationality, and a residence permit (VVR) for stays longer than 90 days (VVR).

Validity

You can often travel to any country inside the Schengen area with the visa. Your stay in the Schengen area is limited to a maximum of 90 days over the course of 180 days, if you have a short-stay visa. This means that after spending 90 days in the Schengen area, you cannot enter the area again for another 90 days. An entry visa is likewise only good for 90 days, and a longer-term residency permit is supposed to come after it.

Timeline for Admission to the Netherlands Universities

Universities in the Netherlands can choose to offer rolling admissions, which don’t have a deadline, or they can have a particular intake season. The academic year is divided into two semesters, summer semester and winter semester, when we talk about the admissions season. 

Education loans and Scholarships to study in the Netherlands

Scholarships are the best method to pay for your studies in the Netherlands. For international students, especially those from outside the EEA, the Netherlands provide many scholarship opportunities as well as choices for student loans. In order to cover their tuition costs, Dutch universities provide merit-based scholarships to international students. Major financial institutions now offer loans at low interest rates, making it very convenient for international students to apply for education loans in the Netherlands.

Here are some scholarships that are available for international students:

•       Holland Scholarships
•       Orange Tulip Scholarships
•       Radboud Scholarship Programme

Part-time work options in the Netherlands

International students have the option of working part-time in the Netherlands, but they are only permitted to do so during the months of June, July, and August, and not both. Students can manage the cost of studying and living in the Netherlands by working part-time. Dutch public health insurance is necessary as soon as you hold a (part-time) employment.

• International students are allowed to work part-time in the Netherlands between 10-16 hours weekly.
• Part-time working students can earn up to 20 Euros per hour.
• Many part-time opportunities can be availed at the University level where students can volunteer for assistantships in the library, to lecturers, for tutoring, etc.
• Not knowing the Dutch language is no barrier as English is used at administrative and educational levels.

Post-study work permit in the Netherlands

The Dutch education system provides high-quality academic options as well as many job opportunities. After graduating from one of the Dutch universities, international students are given a post-study work permit. Foreign graduates must get the Search/Orientation Year, or “zoekjaar” in Dutch, which allows them to work following their studies. Students must apply for this permission in accordance with new rules that became effective on March 1, 2016, three years after finishing their degree program. Also, graduates from the top 100 universities in the world are applying this visa in order to work effectively in the Netherlands.

Popular Job Sectors in the Netherlands

International students are increasingly drawn to the Netherlands as a destination for study and work. Health and social work, wholesale and retail trade, and other business support services are the three most popular job sectors in the Netherlands. Company, education, information and communication, agriculture, and other industries were among those with high need for workers in The Netherlands.

Most frequently sought jobs in The Netherlands

The Netherlands is home to a range of multinational companies such as

The Netherlands is home to the world’s biggest multinational companies like Unilever, Shell and Heineken, and Philips.

Average salary in The Netherlands – By Job

(Source: emolument)

Study in the Netherlands FAQs

• Q. How much does it cost to study in the Netherlands?
  The Netherlands is famous among international students because of its unique lifestyle and number of universities in the top 200 worldwide. Some of the best-ranked universities in the Netherlands charge up to €15,000 per year for Bachelors, and up to €20,000 per year for Masters. A large share of the available Bachelors and Masters are taught in English.
• Q. Can I study in the Netherlands for free?
  No, It’s not possible for International students to study in the Netherlands for free as there’s no such tuition-free program available for students. The best way to study in the Netherlands for free is to obtain a scholarship. There are various scholarship options for international students, with some excellent opportunities for non-EEA students.
• Q. Is it affordable to study in the Netherlands?
  Yes, studying in the Netherlands is relatively inexpensive compared to other countries like the UK or US. The government sponsors Dutch higher education, and tuition fees are comparatively low. International students can experience low living costs in the Netherlands and other financial aid programs offered by the universities in the Netherlands.
• Q. Can I study in the Netherlands without knowing Dutch?
  Yes, you can study in the Netherlands without knowing Dutch as you don’t need to speak Dutch to live and learn. However, it sure could be an excellent skill to have whether you stay in the Netherlands, head back to your home country or head off to a new country on a new adventure!
• Q. Can I stay in the Netherlands after studying?
  After a five-year stay in The Netherlands, one will be eligible to get a residence permit. To get a PR in the Netherlands after study, one needs to meet the following conditions: You have a valid Dutch residence permit for 5 years or more directly before the application.
• Q. Which are the top universities in the Netherlands?
  The University of Amsterdam, Delft University of Technology, Utrecht University, Wageningen University & Research, Leiden University, Eindhoven University of Technology, and the University of Groningen are the top 7 universities in the Netherlands for international students studying abroad in the Netherlands.
• Q. How long can you work in the Netherlands after graduation?
  Yes, the Netherlands offers a post-study work permit and provides advantageous visas for international students who want to stay and work after graduation. With the Orientation Year for Graduates Seeking Employment, you can spend up to one year looking for work in Holland and stay as long as you have that job.